Ribery eyes return to training after injury ´disaster´

Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery is hopeful of returning to training in July after an ankle injury ruled him out of the final stages of last season. 

The Frenchman last featured for Bayern in March, with his ankle problem ruling him out of their Bundesliga run-in and UEFA Champions League semi-final exit at the hands of Barcelona.

While Ribery acknowledged his injury has been a “disaster”, the 32-year-old is targeting a return to first team training next month.

“This has been a disaster. I actually have everything that one can dream of in life but I am not free. I always think of my foot,” he told Bild.

“I want to run, I want to work, I want to play. I have to train in order to be happy.

“I need to be fit and healthy on July 1, 100 per cent. Whether that happens or not, I do not know. But I’ll try anything.”

Ribery – a key fixture in Bayern’s success over recent years – also denied he feared for his place in the side ahead of the close-season transfer window.

“That’s no problem at all,” he added in reference to possible replacements.

“If I have no injury and I’m 100 per cent fit, then anyone can come who wants to.”